 Seriously though, I think we could all use a reminder to love & appreciate the body we have. It is doing the best it can, I promise. I work with all kinds of bodies, with all levels of fitness, all day- and have for years. The human body always responds better to a positive, nurturing approach rather than negative, punitive, and impatient thoughts or feedback. Aging, chronic pain, and the desire to change can be strong motivators, but sometimes they push us too hard. Feel free to take a moment to reset with some self-care. (need some help with this? click here) Still Feeling Frustrated or Discouraged? 1. Make a list of all the amazing things your body does that you might be taking for granted. 2. Focus on a part of your body that feels good today. If more than one appears, keep acknowledging them. 3. Recognize any unrealistic expectations you might be harboring and let them go! You could talk about them, write them out, or try whatever helps you see them for the nasty tricks that they are. Once you see them for the garbage that they are, it’ll be easier to throw them away. Want to know more about how that could work for you? Click here to connect with me. I offer everyone a free introductory life coaching session. It gives you a feel for what the process is like and if we might be a good fit. 
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 New faces are always welcome, returning ones too!
(If you’re in the group classes and need some extra help, please bear in mind that you can always book a private mat lesson to get some one on one attention and personal corrections. ) The next session starts on 4/3…. Registration is still open! (There is no class 4/1 for Cesar Chavez Day, there may be some confusion because it is listed differently in a few places.) Wednesdays 9:30-10:30am Building Better Bones 4/3-5/22 #60609 $42 ($7 drop in) Mondays 5:30-6:30pm Intro to Pilates 4/8-5/20 #60611 $42 6:30-7:30pm Pilates & Stretch 4/8-5/20 #60610 $42 Register Online Today! www.tempe.gov/brochure For More Information: 480-350-5200 Current Classes: Mondays 5:30-6:30pm Intro to Pilates 1/7-3/25 #60608 6:30-7:30pm Pilates & Stretch 1/7-3/25 #60607 Wednesdays 9:30-10:30am Building Better Bones 1/16-3/27 #60606 $7 drop in Have some questions? Click here to contact me directly  Classes start on Monday 9/10!
Registration is still open. All the classes have made minimum enrollment, so all the options below are available. Mondays 5:30-6:30pm Intro to Pilates 9/10-12/10/18 #58571 $70 No Class: 11/12 6:30-7:30pm Pilates & Stretch 9/10-12/10 #58570 $70 No Class: 11/12 Wednesdays 9:30-10:30am Building Better Bones 9/12-12/12 #59569 $74 ($7 drop in) Register Online Today! www.tempe.gov/brochure For More Information: 480-350-5200 Interested in trying a group class but feel a bit intimidated? or not sure it will work for you? Click here to connect with me and we can figure it out together Check out this post by guest author Susan Treadway of https://rehabholistics.com/.  When life starts to get out of hand, you sometimes just have to stop and smell the roses to gain perspective. But you don’t have to reach a breaking point before you allow yourself to do this. If you instead practice self-care on a daily basis, you can drastically reduce the amount of stress, depression, and anxiety in your life. Self-care doesn’t even have to take up that much time in your day. Sometimes, just taking five minutes to check in with yourself can make all the difference. Practice Meditation Meditation provides a structure where you can pause your day to reflect and check in with yourself. Although the goal of meditation is to turn off your thoughts for a few minutes, there is no right way to meditate. You can spend five minutes or an hour doing it. You can be sitting, laying down, or walking. And if your mind wanders, that’s okay too. Psychology Today notes that practicing daily increases your ability to regulate your emotions and cope with stress. If you are having trouble building the habit, try creating a space for yourself in your home. The area should be simple but private. Keep the space uncluttered, and decorate it with objects that help you relax, like smooth stones, flowers, or candles. The goal is to create a soothing place you want to retreat to. Learn to Set Boundaries Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is say “no” to someone. Whether that’s to taking on extra work from your boss or going out with friends when you really could use a night in, it’s not easy. However, if you always say “yes” to everything, the pressure will build until you can’t take it. This is why it’s important to set boundaries and learn to protect your relaxation time. Do not take on more work than you can handle. Your boss will respect you for speaking up. Remember, they do not want your performance to suffer, because it will reflect badly on them too. If you need a night relaxing in front of the TV, it’s okay to turn down drinks with your friends. You can even do this in small doses, according to the Huffington Post. When you feel overwhelmed in the moment, give yourself a minute to breathe by taking a short walk around the block or organizing your desk. Walking away allows you to refocus and tackle the problem with fresh eyes. Take Care of Your Physical Health Physical and mental health go hand in hand, which is why it’s necessary to build healthy habits. Sleep is perhaps the most commonly neglected health practice. Though it’s not always easy to head to bed at a reasonable hour, you should be getting 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Try turning off your electronics and unwinding by reading a book to help you fall asleep. It’s also important not to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, whether you’re trying to solve a stress- or sleep-related issue. A glass of wine a couple of nights a week is usually a perfectly safe way for people to unwind after a long, anxiety-filled day. However, relying too much on substances to reduce your stress can be a slippery slope to bigger problems (like addiction) which can be a direct threat to your physical and emotional health. Your diet needs to be a balance of brightly-colored fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. In order to keep what you’re eating in check, Health Magazine recommends planning your meals in advance and surrounding yourself with healthy snacks. Exercise should not be neglected, either. The average adult should aim to work out five times a week with a combination of aerobic and strength training. This will help you maintain your weight and keep your muscles active. To help you break a sweat, pick activities you enjoy, and consider signing up for a class. This does not mean you can’t indulge in the occasional cookie or stay up late and have a night out on the town. Being healthy is a lifestyle; let the indulgences be just that. Keep the Stress at Bay Life does not need to be a sprint. With so many things to do and so many people to see, it can be tempting to just go from one thing to the next without stopping, but take the time to slow it down. Not only will this make stress manageable, but you’ll be healthier for it. by Susan Treadway of https://rehabholistics.com/. Photo courtesy of Unsplash.  “Are you walking the dog, or is the dog walking you?”
I used to have a yoga teacher that would often ask us that question in class. Of course, he was really asking how our mind management was going. Asking myself that question usually makes me laugh at myself a little, and then get back on track if I am getting into negative thought patterns or nasty self-talk. Try it! What comes up? There are lots of different ways to approach this topic, but I am going to try to break it down just like I would for myself (self-coaching) or with a life coaching client. Mind management means that we are managing our thought patterns consciously, feeling our feelings, and working on re-training any old thought patterns that no longer serve us. Our thoughts create our feelings, which drive our actions (or lack thereof.) Those actions determine our results, or next set of circumstances. If we break that down a little or make it really practical, it is when we attach a thought or determination to anything that usually leads us into how we feel. For example, if I am back in that yoga class and I am finding balancing on one foot challenging that day I have a myriad of thoughts that could come along. Do I unconsciously let the negative lead me into a nasty place I don’t want to be?
or Do I get curious and/or kind with myself?
or Do I find a way to be neutral if I can’t get to positive?
Do you see how this approach can be applied to most areas of our lives? I suggest trying to be aware of your thought choices and their effects for a few days. You may even want to journal or take some quick notes about what you are noticing. It can be really eye opening and life changing. Do you feel like you need some help with your mind management, thought patterns, and self talk? Click here to connect with me. I offer everyone a free introductory life coaching session. It gives you a feel for what the process is like and if we might be a good fit. What is it and how can it help you? Reiki is an incredibly simple yet powerful method that can enhance your life in many ways. According to the International Center for Reiki Training, “Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.”
To read the full overview of Reiki from this source, please click here. Here are just a few possible benefits:
You can get a Reiki session from a practitioner and/or learn how to perform Reiki on yourself. It isn’t a religion, and is very accessible even if you’re not familiar with or a believer in energy work. Although you may feel skeptical, I whole heartedly encourage you to remain open minded and give it a try! I was regularly practiced reiki many years ago when I was working as a massage therapist, but it somehow disappeared from my life as I was focused other things. I recently revisited and re-certified in this technique. I continue to be amazed by the subtle effects in my life and body as well as the massive improvement in my ability to meditate. Want to learn more or try it? Contact me and we can go from there! Hey guys!
So- I often get asked what kind of Pilates is “the best.” As you can imagine, there are lots of differing opinions out there. Mine happens to be that “the best” kind of Pilates is the kind that you can do safely, pain-free, and consistently. If it also feels awesome and is fun or you are encouraged by your progress, then I endorse it even more fully! I have summarized some of the pros and cons below based upon my training, experience, and professional opinion. If you have some thoughts you’d like to share below in the comments, I’d love to see them! Overall Benefits of Pilates
The list goes on and on, but those are some of the highlights. Benefits of Private Lessons:
Benefits of Group Classes:
Benefits of Videos:
Benefits of Mixing the Modalities:
What works for you? Please feel free to comment or ask questions below. If you are interested in trying some private lessons or need some guidance on adding some Pilates into your life, click here to contact me directly. It seems like it should be so simple and easy. Right? But, most of us struggle to really get the hang of healthy, effective breathing mechanics. There are so many different ways to do it and cue it, it can get really confusing.  This is an image that I find very helpful. You see the person inhaling and exhaling. The trampoline represents the pelvic floor, where our core originates, and the bell is the ribcage.
In Pilates, we want to find some synchronicity or coordination between our breathing and our core activation. The idea of the diaphragm drawing down towards the floor as we inhale, then drawing up towards the sky as we exhale can facilitate activation of the pelvic floor and internal lift. It can also help us steer clear of unnecessary neck and shoulder tension. Want more help with this? Check out these videos…click here  Last month, I sent some info about a possible retreat in November. Due to construction at the resort, we have moved it to May 2019. I am so excited to share this exciting opportunity with you! This Biohacking & Nourishing Movement Retreat in May 2019 is a chance to rest, renew, and upgrade your life with me in paradise. For more info, click below: https://www.inspired-retreats.com/pippa-frame Registration is now open! There’s even an early bird discount, payment plan available, and a special treat for the first 4 reservations. We only have room for 12 participants max, so act now if you’re interested….  For those of you who don’t know- my sweet, old boy Winnie passed away in early April. It was sudden & swift, but I was there with him. He was such a wonderful presence in my life and taught me so much about unconditional love, living fully in the moment, & pure joy in the simple things. Here is a picture of him expertly demonstrating pandiculation, which I highly encourage you to try right now! Click here for a great article on it.  |
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